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The SD700's is faster in just about every measure than competing compact camera models, and as fast or faster than many full-size cameras. It starts up very quickly, and has a very fast shutter response both wide angle and telephoto lens settings. "Prefocusing" the camera by half-pressing and holding down the shutter button before the final exposure results in a blazing 0.075-second time, among the fastest on the market. Shot to shot cycle times are very good, at about 1.36 seconds for large/fine JPEGs, and it can apparently capture an unlimited number of shots this quickly before it has to slow down and wait for the memory card to catch up, provided you're using a high-speed memory card. (Slower cards may place limits on how many shots you can capture in succession before the camera has to wait for the card.) Continuous-mode speed is average, at a bit over two frames/second, though once again apparently for an unlimited number of shots in succession, given a fast enough memory card. The flash takes about six seconds to recharge after a full-power shot, also about average for this class of camera. Connected to a computer, download speeds are very fast, among the best on the market. Bottom line, the SD700IS is one of the more responsive cameras on the market, bested by only a few full-sized models in continuous shooting speed.

Battery and Storage Capacity

BatteryShort battery life with the LCD on, very good when LCD is switched off.

Operating Mode

Number of Shots

LiIon rechargeable
batteryLCD on

240

LiIon rechargeable batteryLCD off

700

The Canon PowerShot SD700 uses a custom rechargeable LiIon battery for power. The table above shows maximum number of shots based on the CIPA battery-life standard. The rated 240 shots per charge isn't bad, but remember that this number doesn't include time spent viewing images on the LCD screen. As usual, we recommend purchasing a second battery along with the camera if you plan any extended outings.